Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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228. To ask the Minister for Finance his views on the comments made by the former governor of the ECB, Mr. Jean-Claude Trichet, in Strasbourg on Tuesday, 15 January in relation to the European economic crisis and other issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3535/14]

Michael Noonan (Limerick City, Fine Gael)
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I understand you are referring to the comments made by the former President of the ECB Mr. Jean-Claude Trichet at his hearing at the European Parliament's Economic and Monetary Affairs Committee on Tuesday 14 January. During his appearance before the Committee Mr. Trichet raised a number of points including the cause of the European crisis, the Stability and Growth Path, the future role of the European Parliament, the Greek experience, and the Irish experience. I note Mr. Trichet's comments in relation to how the Irish programme progressed, and the scale of the banking crisis in Ireland.  Our focus now is on continuing the recovery in the economy and in the public finances which enabled us to exit from our programme successfully last year.  That will be the key to our future success.

Mr. Trichet appeared before the Committee as part of the EP's own initiative report evaluating the structure, the role and operation of the Troika actions in euro area programme countries. The Committee also met with European Commissioner Rehn, and ESM Managing Director Klaus Regling. As the Deputy may be aware, my colleague, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Mr. Brendan Howlin T.D., and I met with an EP delegation during their visit to Ireland on 16-17 January.